Mobile services are likely to be restored across the Kashmir tomorrow after being snapped for nearly twelve days due to the outbreak of massive public protests over the killing of Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Muzaffar Wani by government forces early this month.
The mobile telecommunication service will be restored in three phases from tomorrow night beginning with the resumption of only post-paid services, sources told Kashmir Dispatch. In the second phase, pre-paid services and in third, data service will be resumed.
“The decision about the the resumption of internet service will be taken after assessing the situation,” sources said. They said the directions in this regard will be passed to the mobile operators tomorrow. Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government blocked mobile telecommunication service, barring state run BSNL across south Kashmir after Burhan’s killing on July 8 triggered unprecedented anti-India protests.
In the following days, the state government snapped mobile services across the Kashmir, as the forces shot dead young men, women and children protest Hizb commander’s killing. The government also gagged media, stopped cable TV reception and enforced harsh curfew in a bid to contain anti-India demonstrations. The decision of Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government of snapping mobile telecommunication had come under sharp criticism from various political, social and religious groups.
Amnesty International, a leading human rights watchdog in a statement issued on Friday had denounced the communication lockdown saying the ban was enabling a range of human rights violations.